Where to start the Black Butler manga after season 4? Explained

Where to read Black Butler manga after season 4 (Image via Cloverworks)

Black Butler season 4 has sparked sound discussion in the fandom with its cliffhanger ending. As a result, fans have become curious to know what happens next in the story. Notably, the latest season adapted the Public School Arc from Yana Toboso's original dark fantasy manga series. It ended and had a teaser for the next major arc.

Since there's no official announcement made about a sequel, anime-only fans have to wait for the answers to the finale's cryptic ending. However, those who want to know right away may start reading the manga from chapter 86, which begins the Emerald Witch Arc.

Black Butler manga can be read from 86 after season 4

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The final episode of Black Butler season 4, titled His Butler, Taking Off, adapted the events up to the first few pages of chapter 86 from Yana Toboso's original manga. As a result, fans who want to pick up the manga after watching season 4 can begin from chapter 86.

Notably, Cloverworks has done an incredible job of portraying the key moments from the manga this season, which covered chapters 67–86, adapting the Public School Arc. As mentioned, the eagerly anticipated sequel ended on a cliffhanger, teasing the Emerald Witch Arc.

Ciel Phantomhive, as seen in the anime (Image via Cloverworks)

The final moments of the episode saw two noblemen in Germany chasing after a fox with hounds that escaped into a forest. One of the nobles then brings up a foreboding rumor about the forest being cursed. However, they quickly discard such rumors and venture into the forest.

While following the trails of the fox, they stumble upon an old woman, who warns them about the curse and implores them to turn back. However, the nobles don't pay any heed to her warnings. In the end, they locate the hounds they sent after the fox, growling at something.

The werewolf, as seen in the anime (Image via Cloverworks)

On a closer inspection, the nobles discover a grotesque creature, resembling a werewolf, emerging from the woods. The episode cuts to the moment the werewolf turns toward the screen.

This particular segment marks the beginning of the Emerald Witch Arc, which will become the basis for the next adventure of Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian in the manga.

Where to read Black Butler manga?

Sebastian Michaelis, as seen in the anime (Image via CloverWorks)

Yana Toboso's Black Butler manga has been serialized in Square Enix's shonen manga magazine, Monthly GFantasy, since 2006, with 213 chapters released thus far. Yen Press publishes the manga in English and has published 33 volumes thus far. The latest volume was released on June 18, 2024.

Anime-only fans who want to transition to reading the Black Butler manga can purchase the physical or digital version of the volumes from stores like Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble, and local retail bookstores. Comixology is another option for fans to digitally read the chapter.

What happened in Black Butler season 4?

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The latest season focused on Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis investigating a strange case in Weston College, involving the disappearances of several students. Upon the Queen's request, Ciel enrolled as a student at Weston College, while Sebastian did the same under the guise of a teacher.

They discovered that the Principal of the school governed the rules even though he was absent quite often. As such, the Four Prefects, considered the pillars of the school, upheld the institution's virtue and values. Eventually, Ciel earned the praise of the Prefects and met the Principal, who turned out to be Undertaker.

Ciel and Sebastian, as seen in season 4 (Image via CloverWorks)

It was revealed that the Prefects had killed the missing students Ciel and Sebastian had been searching for. They were because they caught them bullying others. As such, they asked for the Aurora Society's help to reanimate the dead and hide the grim truth.

Ciel and Sebastian apprehended the Four Prefects, who were then expelled from the institution. After solving the case, the Phantomhive boy and his butler returned to the manor and ran some errands for their servants. Black Butler season 4 ended on a cliffhanger, leaving scope for a sequel.